PROBLEM:

In three more years, Michaels grandfather will be six times as old as Michael was
last year. When Michaels present age is added to his grandfathers present age,
the total is 68. How old is each one now?
SOLUTION:
Let
m = present age of Michael
g = present age of his grandfather
NA M E

L A ST Y E A R

PRESENT

THREE MORE YEARS

Michael

m1

m+3

Grandfather

g1

g+3

The number of equations must be equal to the number of unknowns to solve the
problem.

The problem has two (2) unknowns m (Michaels age) and g (grandfathers
age). Hence, we need to have at least two (2) equations in order to solve the
problem.
The first sentence tells us that In three more years, Michaels grandfather will be
six times as old as Michael was last year. which is equal to the equation
(g + 3) = 6(m 1)
while the second sentence is When Michaels present age is added to his
grandfathers present age, the total is 68. which translates to
m + g = 68

We have two (2) equations and two (2) unknowns, we can solve the problem.
g + 3 = 6(m 1)
m + g = 68
m = 68 g
g + 3 = 6m 6
g + 3 = 6(68-g)-6
g + 3 = 408-6g -6
7g = 399
g = 57
m = 68 g
m = 68 57
m = 11
Michael is 11 years old while his grandfather is 57 years old.